Bengaluru Implements Traffic And Crowd Control Ahead Of New Year Revelry
Bengaluru is stepping up security and traffic management as New Year’s celebrations approach, with authorities implementing citywide measures to ensure public safety. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reviewed the city’s precautionary plans, directing police and civic officials to focus on women’s safety, crowd monitoring, and emergency readiness. The initiative includes enhanced surveillance, deployment of thousands of personnel, and regulated traffic flows at major gathering points to prevent incidents during the festive night.
At a high-level review meeting at Krishnadevaraya Bhavan, Siddaramaiah emphasised that celebrations must proceed without harassment, violence, or other untoward incidents. The CM instructed authorities to prioritise preventive measures at key areas, including MG Road, Brigade Road, Church Street, Koramangala, and Indiranagar. Advanced monitoring systems and surveillance tools are being deployed to track crowd density, respond promptly to potential risks, and ensure public safety in real time.To facilitate safe post-celebration travel, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has been directed to operate additional bus services after midnight. Siddaramaiah noted that efficient mobility and safe commuting are essential to prevent congestion and support orderly dispersal from crowded locations, reflecting the city’s broader commitment to sustainable urban transport and civic convenience.
The comprehensive security plan includes the deployment of 20,000 police personnel, of which 1,200 are being brought in from neighbouring districts. Officials have been instructed to increase the presence of women officers and make active use of Chennamma Teams, units focused specifically on women’s safety. Infrastructure support encompasses four central control rooms, 78 watch towers, 164 women help desks, and 55 strategically positioned ambulances to manage emergencies effectively. Authorities have also recorded over 3,500 drink-and-drive violations in the days leading up to the celebrations, highlighting the need for heightened vigilance.Traffic regulations will be strictly enforced during the celebrations. Movement of vehicles will be restricted on major roads such as MG Road, Brigade Road, St. Marks Road, Resthouse Road, and Residency Road from the night of December 31 into January 1. Two-wheelers will be prohibited on 50 city flyovers, including the airport flyover, while heavy goods vehicles will be diverted at key junctions to reduce congestion in the Central Business District.
Siddaramaiah stressed continuous vigilance against reckless behaviour, miscreants, and drug-related activities, emphasising that no such incidents would be tolerated. The meeting, attended by senior officials including State Home Minister G Parameshwara, Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh, DGP M.A. Saleem, and Greater Bengaluru Authority Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao, reflected the city’s multi-agency coordination to ensure safety during high-density urban events.The coordinated deployment, use of technology, and preventive measures aim to ensure that Bengaluru’s New Year celebrations remain safe, orderly, and enjoyable for all residents and visitors, demonstrating how proactive urban planning can balance festive enthusiasm with civic security.
